Trojan Battery Company has been manufacturing deep-cycle, flooded batteries for more than three generations.
Our experience has shown that the key factor to achieving optimum performance and long battery life is to follow a regular care and maintenance program.
While reviewing our battery maintenance tips, please keep in mind that all battery systems are unique. Battery type, charger technology, equipment loads, cable size, climate, and other factors can all vary. Slight or significant, these differences will require battery maintenance to be adjusted accordingly. These are only guidelines to follow for proper battery care. Each particular system will always require a degree of customized attention.
Achieving Optimum Performance and Long Battery Life
Before Getting Started
Step 1: Determine Your Battery Voltage And How Many Batteries To Use
1-1 | Based on your system voltage, you must first decide which battery is needed and how many to use in order to meet your requirements. For example, you may connect a series of eight 6V batteries, six 8V batteries or four 12V batteries for a 48-volt system. The size of your battery compartment, your performance requirements and costs may limit your options. |
1-2 | Make sure there is enough space between batteries to allow for minor battery expansion that occurs during use and to allow proper airflow to keep battery temperature down in hot environments. |
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Connecting batteries in series does not increase the capacity of the batteries; it simply increases the overall voltage to meet your system requirements. Once your voltage requirements are met, and if space allows, you can double the batteries in a parallel connection — thereby doubling your battery capacity. See diagrams below.
Step 2: Choose Your Best Battery Model
2-1 | When choosing your battery model, first consider your battery compartment space, as this may limit your options. Within your size restrictions you may have several battery options to choose from. For example, you can use a T-605, T-105 or T-125 in the same space, as they are the exact same physical size. The difference between these batteries is the amount of energy they offer. |
2-2 | Next consider your energy needs. If replacing an existing battery, use it as a reference point. If your old battery provided enough energy, it can be replaced with a similar capacity battery. If you need more energy you can size up, or if you need less energy you can size down. |
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If you do not know what battery to use, contact your equipment manufacturer for their recommended battery specification. Trojan Battery also offers outstanding technical support provided by full-time applications engineers to help you select your ideal batteries.
Step 3: Select Your Best Terminal
3-1 | Finally determine which terminal option best meets your needs based on the type of cable connections you plan to use. Look for the terminal(s) available for the battery you have selected. |
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Make sure you use the proper cable size when connecting your batteries so the connections do not overheat. For information regarding correct wire sizes you can refer to the National Electric Code, Trojan Battery User’s Guide, or contact Trojan’s live technical support at 800.423.6569.
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Lead acid batteries are generally classified by application (what they are used for) and by construction (how they are made). Deep-cycle batteries are used for various types of applications specific such as RV, golf cars, renewable energy, and marine.
There are two popular construction types: flooded batteries (wet) and VRLA batteries (Valve Regulated Lead Acid). In the flooded types, the electrolyte is a solution of sulfuric acid and water that can spill out if the battery is tipped over. In VRLA batteries, the electrolyte is suspended in a gel or a fiberglass-mat (AGM technology), allowing these batteries to be mounted in a variety of positions.
Before getting started, be sure to identify the type of battery involved. This section addresses the charging and maintenance for both deep-cycle flooded and VRLA batteries.
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There are many tools that may help in properly caring for and maintaining batteries. Below is a list of basic items that Trojan recommends for this task:
Recommended Equipment | |||
Baking Soda | Distilled Water | Goggles & Gloves | Hydrometer |
Post Cleaner | Vaseline | Voltmeter | Wrench |
CAUTION: Always wear protective clothing, gloves and goggles, when handling batteries, electrolyte, and charging your battery.
Batteries should be carefully inspected on a regular basis in order to detect and correct potential problems before they can do harm. It is a great idea to start this routine when you first receive the batteries are first received.
Inspection Guidelines
1. Examine the outside appearance of the battery.
2. Any fluids on or around the battery may be an indication that electrolyte is spilling, leaching, or leaking out.
3. Check all battery cables and their connections.
4. Tighten all wiring connections to the proper specification (see below). Make certain there is good contact with the terminals.
WARNING: Do not overtighten terminals. Doing so can result in post breakage, post meltdown, or fire.
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Both open-circuit voltage and specific gravity readings can give a good indication of the battery’s charge level, age, and health. Routine voltage and gravity checks will not only show the state of charge but also help spot signs of improper care, such as undercharging and over-watering, and possibly even locate a bad or weak battery. The following steps outline how to properly perform routine voltage and specific gravity testing on batteries.
I. Specific Gravity Test (Flooded batteries only)
The readings should be at or above the factory specification of 1.277 +/- 0.007. If any specific gravity readings register low, then follow the steps below.
If any specific gravity readings still register low then follow the steps below.
If any specific gravity reading still registers lower than the factory specification of 1.277+/- 0.007 then one or more of the following conditions may exist:
Batteries in conditions 1 – 4 should be taken to a specialist for further evaluation or retired from service.
II. Open-Circuit Voltage Test
For accurate voltage readings, batteries must remain idle (no charging, no discharging) for at least 6 hrs, preferably 24 hrs.
If battery registers below the Table 1 values, the following conditions may exist:
Batteries in these conditions should be taken to a specialist for further evaluation or retired from service.
TABLE 1 | ||||||||||||||
State of Charge as Related to Specific Gravity and Open Circuit Voltage | ||||||||||||||
Percentage of Charge | Specific Gravity Corrected To | Open-Circuit Voltage | ||||||||||||
6v | 8v | 12v | 24v | 36v | 48v | |||||||||
100 | 1.277 | 6.37 | 8.49 | 12.73 | 25.46 | 38.20 | 50.93 | |||||||
90 | 1.258 | 6.31 | 8.41 | 12.62 | 25.24 | 37.85 | 50.47 | |||||||
80 | 1.238 | 6.25 | 8.33 | 12.50 | 25.00 | 37.49 | 49.99 | |||||||
70 | 1.217 | 6.19 | 8.25 | 12.37 | 24.74 | 37.12 | 49.49 | |||||||
60 | 1.195 | 6.12 | 8.16 | 12.27 | 24.48 | 36.72 | 48.96 | |||||||
50 | 1.172 | 6.02 | 8.07 | 12.10 | 24.20 | 36.31 | 48.41 | |||||||
40 | 1.148 | 5.98 | 7.97 | 11.89 | 23.92 | 35.87 | 47.83 | |||||||
30 | 1.124 | 5.91 | 7.88 | 11.81 | 23.63 | 35.44 | 47.26 | |||||||
20 | 1.098 | 5.83 | 7.77 | 11.66 | 23.32 | 34.97 | 46.63 | |||||||
10 | 1.073 | 5.75 | 7.67 | 11.51 | 23.02 | 34.52 | 46.03 |
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FLOODED BATTERIES ONLY
Flooded batteries need water.
More importantly, watering must be done at the right time and in the right amount or the battery’s performance and longevity suffers.
Water should always be added after fully charging the battery. Prior to charging, there should be enough water to cover the plates. If the battery has been discharged (partially or fully), the water level should also be above the plates. Keeping the water at the correct level after a full charge will prevent having to worry about the water level at a different state of charge.
Depending on the local climate, charging methods, application, etc., Trojan recommends that batteries be checked once a month until you get a feel for how often your batteries are need watering.
Important Things to Remember
CAUTION: The electrolyte is a solution of acid and water so skin contact should be avoided.
Step-By-Step Watering Procedure
WARNING: Never add acid to a battery.
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Batteries seem to attract dust, dirt, and grime. Keeping them clean will help spot signs of trouble when they appear and avoid problems associated with grime.
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Periods of inactivity can be extremely harmful to lead acid batteries. When placing a battery into storage, follow the recommendations below to ensure that the battery remains healthy and ready for use.
NOTE: Storing, charging or operating batteries on concrete is perfectly OK.
The Most Important Things to Avoid
Step-By-Step Storage Procedure
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Most deep-cycle applications have some sort of charging system already installed for battery charging (e.g. solar panels, inverter, golf car charger, alternator, etc.). However, there are still systems with deep-cycle batteries where an individual charger must be selected. The following will help in making a proper selection.
There are many types of chargers available today. They are usually rated by their start rate, the rate in amperes that the charger will supply at the beginning of the charge cycle. When selecting a charger, the charge rate should be between 10% and 13% of the battery’s 20-hour AH capacity. For example, a battery with a 20-hour capacity rating of 225 AH will use a charger rated between approximately 23 and 30 amps (for multiple battery charging use the AH rating of the entire bank). Chargers with lower ratings can be used but the charging time will be increased.
Trojan recommends using a 3-stage charger. Also called “automatic”, “smart” or “IEI” chargers, which prolong battery life with their programmed charging profile. These chargers usually have three distinct charging stages: bulk, acceptance, and float.
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Charging batteries properly requires administering the right amount of current at the right voltage. Most charging equipment automatically regulates these values. Some chargers allow the user to set these values. Both automatic and manual equipment can present difficulties in charging. Tables 2 & 3 list most of the necessary voltage settings one might need to program a charger. In either case the original instructions for your charging equipment should also be referenced for proper charging. Here is list of helpful items to remember when charging.
Table 2 | |||||
Charger Voltage Settings for Flooded Batteries | System Voltage | ||||
Charger Voltage Setting | 6v | 12v | 24v | 36v | 48v |
Absorption/Bulk Charge | 7.35 | 14.7 | 29.4 | 44.1 | 58.8 |
Float Charge | 6.75 | 13.5 | 27.0 | 40.5 | 54.0 |
Equalize Charge | 8.1 | 16.2 | 32.4 | 48.6 | 64.8 |
Additional VRLA Charging Instructions:
Table 3 | ||||
Charger Voltage Settings for VRLA Batteries | System Voltage | |||
Charger Voltage Setting | 12v | 24v | 36v | 48v |
Absorption/Bulk Charge | 14.4 | 28.8 | 43.2 | 57.6 |
Float Charge | 13.5 | 27.0 | 40.5 | 54.0 |
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FLOODED BATTERIES ONLY
Equalizing is an overcharge performed on flooded lead acid batteries after they have been fully charged.
It reverses the buildup of negative chemical effects like stratification, a condition where acid concentration is greater at the bottom of the battery than at the top. Equalizing also helps to remove sulfate crystals that might have built up on the plates. If left unchecked, this condition, called sulfation, will reduce the overall capacity of the battery.
Many experts recommend that batteries be equalized periodically, ranging anywhere from once a month to once or twice per year. However, Trojan only recommends equalizing when low or wide ranging specific gravity (>0.030) are detected after fully charging a battery.
Step-By-Step Equalizing
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Discharging batteries is entirely a function of your particular application.
However, below is list of helpful items:
% Discharged | |||||
100 | 80 | 60 | 40 | 20 | 0 |
0 | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 |
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Flooded batteries need water.
But more importantly, watering must be done at the right time and in the right amount or the battery’s performance and longevity suffers.
General Watering Instructions:
Diagram A | Diagram B | |
Add water to 0.125″ below bottom of the vent well. | Add water to the maximum water level indicator. |
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Store and operate your batteries in a cool, dry place.
For every 18° F (10° C) rise above room temperature (77° F or 25° C), battery life decreases by 50%.
Charge your batteries fully after each period of use.
Allowing your batteries to sit in a low state of charge for extended periods will decrease their capacity and life.
If you store your batteries for an extended period of time, be sure to charge them fully every 3 to 6 months. Lead acid batteries will self-discharge 5% to 15% per month, depending on the temperature of the storage conditions.
Monitor battery voltage and specific gravity of the electrolyte regularly to verify full recharging. As a general rule of thumb, the total amps from your PV panels should be sized between 10% and 20% of the total amp-hours (Ah) of the battery pack.
Many charge controllers have equalization settings that you can set to help ensure the health of your batteries. Equalize your batteries at least once per month for 2 to 4 hours, longer if your batteries have been consistently undercharged.
System Voltage | |||||
Voltage Settings | 6V | 12V | 24V | 36V | 48V |
Daily Charge | 7.4 | 14.8 | 29.6 | 44.5 | 59.3 |
Float Charge | 6.7 | 13.5 | 27 | 40.5 | 54 |
Equalize Charge | 8.1 | 16.2 | 32.4 | 48.6 | 64.8 |
Water your batteries regularly.
Flooded, or wet cell batteries require watering periodically. Check your batteries once a month after installation to determine the proper watering schedule. Add water after fully charging the battery and use distilled water.
For procedures on watering, checking battery voltage and other maintenance instructions, refer to our battery maintenance section for more details.
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